IT WAS billed as "the festival bank holidays were made for" - and 36,000 dance fans certainly agreed.

They turned up to the old Liverpool airfield on Saturday for the annual Creamfields event, making it the biggest year yet.

The 15-hour event, which finished at dawn, featured more than 80 acts across nine stages.

And despite the grey skies, it attracted the usual mix of outrageous costumes, fancy dress and clubbing gear.

Headliners Basement Jaxx impressed the crowds with an energetic set and lightshow.

But the ambitious line-up included a host of other top dance names such as Pete Tong, Erick Morillo and, Fatboy Slim and Faithless.

Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold and Yousef also played sets well into the night.

Retro fans enjoyed old-school dance on a mobile disco in a converted camper van run by the Gurney Boys.

And when it all got a bit too much, clubbers headed off to the chill-out arena to relax. It seemed to do the trick as police reported it was one of the most trouble-free years at the festival.

More than 350 officers policed the event. A total of 45 arrests were made, including one for possessing a weapon and one for assault.

The rest were for possession of drugs, despite special bins being set up for the first time to allow revellers to give up their stashes rather than being caught by the police.

Supt John Myles, who led the operation, said: "I am extremely pleased that this hugely popular national event has, once again, maintained its reputation as being one of the safest events of its kind in the country.

"The policing operation has been a great success and the public gave us some extremely encouraging feedback on officers' positive attitude and approach.

"The festival was policed by in excess of 350 police officers, both uniformed and in plain clothes, along with police dogs and horses and support from the police helicopter.

"This ensured a suitable visible police presence and significant resources to respond quickly to any situation as it arose, target known criminals and operate a zero-tolerance policy against drugs.

"The careful planning and preparation for the event has enabled thousands of young people able to enjoy themselves in a secure environment.

"Once again, we are able to show Merseyside has the venues and the capability to host large-scale national events and we are pleased to help raise the profile of the area in the run up to the Capital of Culture."